Video: Omanis join hands to replant trees affected by Mekunu

Oman Monday 04/June/2018 22:08 PM
By: Times News Service

Muscat: Locals in Dhofar are working together to replant the trees that were affected by cyclone Mekunu.
In an attempt to restore nature in Salalah, groups of volunteers have been using cars and trucks to replant the trees that were damaged as a result of the cyclone.
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"Within a day, the young people replanted all the shade trees along the Ein Gheriz site, an area preferred for trips and by families during the holidays. And thanks to Abdullah Al-Rawas for donating a large tool to help the young people in their work," said Ali Al Abdoor, member of Atin voluntary team."We do not exaggerate when we say all the trees destroyed by the cyclone would be a major loss to Dhofar Governorate land, which is already suffering from desertification."
The Khareef season will begin in Dhofar Governorate in the coming months, and the citizens hope that it will help bring life back to the trees if they anchor them well.
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"The efforts by citizens are very simple because the number of trees affected is greater than their ability to deal with them, as their efforts are limited to places close to their homes, streets, public places or nearby areas," Al Abdoor said.
He added: "Working on replanting the trees is hard and difficult work due to the heavy weight of the trees. Yesterday, from afternoon to sunset, a group of young people could replant only three trees using ropes, a 4WD car, and simple drilling tools."
A large number of affected areas and the difficulty to access places such as valleys or reefs are challenges faced by citizens, so they have called for the unity of all sectors: government, private and civil to protect the governorate vegetation and repair the damage.
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Al Abdoor explained: "The citizens' efforts are appreciated and reflect a sense of environmental awareness but it is not enough because of the wide range of areas affected, the abundance of trees and places inaccessible to locals, and the extent of the damage in certain cases. We are trying to save what can be saved."
The most affected trees were the Dhofari buttontree, Al mitan, gum arabic, wild figs, Al klit trees and other species that have been severely damaged. The trees in the western regions of Dhofar, Dhalkut and Rakhiot maybe the most affected due to their proximity to the cyclone centre.
Al Abdoor said: "Many of these trees are ancient and rare and some of them face extinction, and there are no seeds in the nursery, so we had to take care of them and try to save them and bring them back to life."